Panel sniping machine



July 16, 1940. c. CARLSON PANEL ySNIPING MACHINE 5 shefs-sheet 1 FiledApril 17, 1937 NSL Mm QN lm fab @QQ F@ NL & @m\ E d @n w L Nw mi Gm, Q@M Il, o@ R CMM? E m E m July 16, 1940. c. CARLSON PANEL SNIPING MACHINEFiled April 1v, 195'/ 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Charles Carlson o Gttorneg July16, 1940. c. CARLSON PANEL SNIPING MACHINE Fil'ed April 17, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet C5 M Il M (IlI lll|

IIIy

. Suventor Charles Carlson 16, 1940. c. CARLSON 2,207,782

PANEL S'NIPING MACHINE l Filed April 17, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.

Snventor (Ittorneg July 16, A1940. c. CARLSON 2,207,782

PANEL SNIPING MACHINE Fi'led April 17, 1937 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PatentedJuly 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT lori-Ica PANEL SNIPING MACHINECharles Carlson, near Tacoma, Wash.

Application April 17, 1937, Serial No. 137,549

11 Claims. (Cl. 1MP-2) In the manufacture of doors a frame composed ofrails and stiles, each rabbeted on its inner edge, is fitted about aplywood panel, the edges whereof enter the rabbets, and the whole isthen clamped together and held until the glue has dried. 'I'he panelsare of fairly large size, irequently of almost the full dimensions ofthe door, and are flexible and unwieldy. Since they must fit tightly inthe rabbets, it is diicult to insert the edges of the panels Vinto therabbets unless they are chamfered. This chamfering is called sniping.

Panel sniping as heretofore practiced has usually required the passageof panels, one edge at a time, past a cutter head disposed adjacent axed guide. 'I'he operation is, therefore, a hand operation, and slow,although worth while because of the time saved in the assembling andclamping of the doors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a panel snipingmachine in which the sniping can be done automatically and with aminimum of labor and time.

It is a further object to provide such an automatic panel snipingmachine which can be adjusted conveniently to accommodate various widthsand lengths of panels.

More specifically, it is an object to provide such a panel snipingmachine in which the panels are fed first past a pair of cutter headsspaced apart to engage opposite edges, then at right angles past anotherpair of cutter heads which engage the other two edges, and to providefeed means so arranged that the long edges of the panelare rst sniped orchamfered, and then the shorter edges, to the end that the panel l maythe better clear the path for a succeeding panel, and further, toprovide timing means whereby the passage of a lpanel to and past a 40given point in the machine controls the advance of a preceding and of asucceeding panel.

In panel sniping machines heretofore proposed reliance has been placedentirely (or almost entirely) upon positive means, continuously acting,to advance the panel in atleast one direction, past the cutter heads.This is objectionable, in that, if the panel jams, or fails to feedproperly, damage occurs to this panel or to the machine,

and indeed damage may occur to the otherk panels as they aresuccessively engaged, before the machine can be stopped, and becausethis piling up of damaged panels, or an attempt to force one or severalpanels positively through the machine may result in damage to themachine. It also makes dimcult adjustment of the machine to differentsizes of panels. It has also been proposed to accomplish the advance ofthe panels, in at least one direction (for example, in the direction ofthe second advance), wholly by nonpositive or friction means. This, too,is objectionable, in that there is insufficient control of the panel,and there can be no accurate timing and spacing of successive panels.Precautions must be'taken that a given panel is clear and away before afollowing panel reaches the transfer point, yet if the first panel doesnot clear, complications immediately ensue.

It is -an object of my invention to provide feed means which embody thedesirable features of the positive feed-for instance, certainty ofseparation of a single panel from beneath va stack, and accurate timingand spacing of the panels-With the desirable features of the nonpositiveor frictional feed, such as unlikelihood that the machine will bedamaged should a jam occur, and the ready ability to accommodatediierent sizes of panels. In addition it is an object, readily capableof accomplishment because of the combination of positive and nonpositivefeeds, to control the advance of panels so that a following panel cannever start through the machine-its positive advancing means will notbecome operative-unless and until a preceding panel clears its path;hence. by judicious selection and combination of a positive advancingmeans to initiate advance of the panels, a frictional means to continueand complete such advance, and timing means controlled by the panelsthemselves, to improve the machine and its operation generally.

It is a further object to simplify the machine in the respect ofproviding one cutter head, though usually with two sets of knives, whichis common to the two pairs of cutters heads, so that the one cutter headoperates upon two edges of the panel.

It is a further object to simplify the construction and arrangement ofthe machine generally, to build such a machine which is rugged andreliable, and which is well adapted to the conditions under which itmust Work.

My invention comprises the novel panel sniping machine, and the novelparts and combination thereof, all as shown in the accompanyingdrawings, described in this specification, and as will be moreparticularly dei-ined by the claims which terminate the same.

l In the accompanying drawings my invention has been shown in a formwhich is at present preferred by me, it beingvunderstood that variouschanges may be made in the form, in the character, and in thearrangement of the several parts, in accordance with the desire of thedesigner.

Figure 1 is a general plan view of the machine.

Figure 2 is a general section, substantially on the line 2--2 of Figurel.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic View, in perspective, illustratingtheoperation of the machine on two successive panels.

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the panel hopper, showing thedischarge table in elevation, taken on the line 6 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the drive for certain feed or presser rolls,taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section longitudinally of the second part of the machine,taken substantially on the line 6 6 cf Figure 1.

Figure 'l is a section taken longitudinally of the initial part of themachine, taken substantially on the line 'l-l' of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on the line 8--3 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a detail of the initial feed arrangement.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the timing and initial advancingmechanism for each half of the machine.

Generally speaking, in my machine panels are stacked in a hopper,disposed over a suitable feed table, from which they are fed one by onefrom the bottom of the stack by a dog or like member which positivelyengages the lowermost panel and advances it edgewise to a point (but notbeyond) where the panel is engaged with continuously operated frictionfeed means, such as presser rolls, which latter complete its removalfrom the hopper and continue its feed in the original direction to andpast a pair of cutter heads disposed to engage opposite edges of thepanel. After passing this pair of cutter heads the panel is delivered toa support, whereupon it is received and positioned, preferably slightlybelow the level of the original feed table, and is advanced from thissupport by a member which positively engages it along an edge, andadvances it edgewise in a direction at right angles to its direction offirst advance, into engagement with a second set of presser rolls, which(the positive means ceasing to advance the panel) then take up thesecond advance of the panel to carry it to and past a second pair ofcutter heads which chamfer the originally leading and trailing edges ofthe panels, and which second set of presser rolls then deliver the panelto a suitable discharge table or point.

Both sets of presser rolls or friction feed means are preferablycontinuously operative, but the dog which initiates the first advanceand the member which initiates the second advance of the panel (in otherwords, the two positive feeding means) are intermittently operable, andpreferably are reciprocable in timed relation, the timing being underthe control of a member or members which is orare disposed in the pathof advance of a panel from the hopper, and which operates suitablemechanism to initiate its own positive second advance as it clears thefirst pair of cutter heads, thus to clear the path for advance of asucceeding panel. The same or similar control mechanism can operate asecond control device as the one panel clears the rst pair of cutterheads, to initiate the positive first advance of a succeeding panel, andthus the operation continues automatically and in timed relationship,the timing automatically compensating for any delays arising from thefrictional or nonpositive part of each feed means.

Preferably the support whereon the panel is received after passagebetween the first pair of cutter heads is on a level slightly below thefeed table for the reason that this will enable a single cutter head tocarry two sets of knives disposed in superposed relationship, the upperset operating during the initial advance of the panel, and the lower setoperating on the second advance. This cuts down on the number of cutterheads and associated parts, and enables the machine toA be made morecompactly, thereby saving on oor space. It also simplifies theadjustment of the machine, since each of the cutter heads, in differentpairs, and disposed opposite this double cutter head, may be adjustedtowards and from it, in conjunction 'with suitable panel guides, inorder to adapt the machine tothe sniping of panels of differentdimensions. Furthermore, it permits the entrance into the transfer areaof the leading edge of a succeeding panel, prior to the completeclearance of a preceding panel, thereby speeding up the entireoperation.

Panel hopper rThe feed table is represented at 8. Here the panels P arestacked, being held in alignment and in proper position by suitablemeans including the upright angle bars 80 or similar elementsconstituting a panel hopper. That flange of these angles B0 which istransverse to the direction of first advance of the panels is cut awayto permit one panel to pass beneath it, but no more, and these hopperelements may be adjustable vertically with relation to the supportingframework, to accommodate different thicknesses of panels. The side ofthe feed table distant from the feeding station F, and the associatedhopper elements. are adjustable transversely to accommodate dierentwidths of panel, by means such as the crank 8l operating through screws82 connected by a shaft 83 and appropriate gearing, and operating innuts 8H.

First positive feed bracket 81 which is adjustable lengthwise of thevshaft 85, for travel through different zones of equal movement, wherebythe amount of advance of the dog for engagement with the edge of a panelis adjustable, both for any given panel, and as required for panels ofdifferent lengths. This shaft 85 is engageable by an arm 88, which bymechanism to be described hereafter is caused intermittently to moveforward a fixed distance in a direction to advance the lowermost panelPI just sufciently to engage it with the friction feed means, byengagement of its rear edge by the dog 86, and the dog is then withdrawnby movement of the shaft 85 in the opposite direction under theinfluence of a spring 89. During reverse movement the dog is depressedby engagement with the panels above it. This mechanism can be duplicatedupon the opposite side of the feed table, and is so illustrated, but itwill usually be found that one such dog, along one edge of the feedtable, is sumcient, and this avoids complications when it becomesnecessary to vary the lus 2,207,782 width of the feed table. Two dogs,at opposite sides of the table, have only been found neces sary when thepanels are nearly square, and may therefore tend to rotate and stick ifengaged near one comer.

First friction feed The advance of the panel PI by the dog 86 ispreferably only sufficient to engage this panel withk the friction feedmeans. The particular form of the friction feed means may varyconsiderably, and a convenient form is best sh'own in Figure 7,' ascomprising a lower live roll 1 upon a shaft 16, spring pressed upperlive rolls 1|, carried upon shafts 12,hung in frames 13 pivoted upon atransverse shaft or rod 14, for up and down movement, and a dead roll16. Springs press these rolls 1| downward upon the panel as it advancesbeneath them. The roller 16 in effect is the last roller in the feedtable 8. The shaft 10 is driven from a suitable drive motor M (seeFigure In order that all the rolls 1 and 1| may act upon the panel toadvance it, all are connected through drive mechanism illustrated inFigure 5. It will be understood that the rolls 1, 1| and 16 areduplicated at the two sides of the feed table.

It being remembered that the feed table is adjustable in width, it isalso necessary to adjust the spacing of the feed rolls each on itsshaft, but at one side of the table only, that distant from the feedstation F. Adjustment .of the roll 16 is taken care of by the adjustment.of the feed table of which it is a part. The feed table also engagesopposite sides of the roll 1, and accompishes the sliding of this rollalong its shaft 10. The hubs of the rolls 1| are grooved, as indicatedat 11, and an upward extension 18, carried by and movable with theadjustable part of the feed table, engages within these grooves 11 toaccomplish sliding of the rolls 1| lengthwise of their shafts 12 as thefeed table is adjusted, land thus the rolls 1, 1| and 16 are adjustableby and with the feed table.

Cutter heads Without at this point referring in detail to thearrangement of cutter heads relative to each other, it should be notedthat there is a cutter head I0 carried upon the upwardly extending shaftof a motor mounted upon a plate |2 which depends fromthe end of the feedtable, this cutter head being disposed between the two rolls 1| andbetween the rolls 1 and 16. It is provided with suitably shaped kniveswhich engage the edge of a panel as it advances, drawn by the frictionalgrip of the rolls, to snipe or chamfer an edge of the panel. A similarcutter head I is fixed in position between the rolls 1| at the feed sideof the machine and similarly snipes the opposite edge of the panel atthe same time that the first edge is being sniped by the cutter head I0.

The cutter head I6, being in effect carried upon ,the adjustable part ofthe feed table, is adjustable therewith and consequently remains at alltimes in proper relationshipto the rolls 1, 1| and 16, and to the edgeof the panel.

Panel supporting and positioning means discharge table 6, andits'opposite edge comes to rest upon a ledge 5. The latter is preferablyprovided with an upstanding flange 50. 'I'he in' itially leading edge ofthe panel PI, which tends to droop somewhat, engages an upwardlyinclined ledge 60, but is prevented from rising above its general planeby a downwardly inclined cover 6| (see Figure 3), by which means ortheir equivalent its initially leading edge is properly aligned with thedischarge table. Its initially trailing edge nally drops from the end ofthe feed table 8 toa level slightly below the level of the feed table,and defined by the ledge 5 and the discharge table 6.

The ledge 5 and its flange 50 may constitute a part of the secondpositive advancing means. They are'connected by arms 5| and brackets 52to shafts or rods 53, similar to the reciprocatory shafts 85, whichshafts 53 in turn may be reciprocated by swinging forwardly the arms 54,just as the shafts 85 are reciprocated by the arms 88. When thisreciprocation occurs the upstanding flange, engaging behind the edge ofthe pane-l, advances` it at an angle to its first direction ofadvance,land into engagement with a second frictionall advancing means.The panels being almost always rectangular, the direction of the secondadvance is almost at right angles to the direction of the rst advance,although not necessarily so.

Since it is necessary to adapt the machine to panels of varying widthsand lengths, the position of the ledge 5 and its flange 50 must beva-riable, and this may be accomplished by adjusting the brackets 52along their shafts 53. This adjustment is accomplished when the width ofthe feed table 8 is adjusted, so that the ledge 50 is always properlylocated to receive a panel from the first friction feed rolls 1| and 16.To accommodate differences inthe length of the panels the elements 60and 6| form part of a frame 62, which in turn is part of the dischargetable 6,

and this part is adjustable towards and from the opposite fixed elementof the discharge table. Such adjustment is conveniently accomplished byrotation of the shaft 63 carrying pinions 64 engageable in fixed racks65, the rotation of the shaft 63 being accomplished by a crank handle66. A clamp 69 engages a frame member to hold parts in an adjustedposition, to prevent displacement by repeated contacts of panels withthe member 62.

, Second frictional feed As with the first frictional feed, the secondmay assume a variety of forms. 'Ihat shown comprises a chain 68 at eachedge of the discharge table 6, with which cooperates presser rolls 61.The chain 68 may extend from one end to the yother of the dischargetable 6, and the presser rolls 61, which may be mounted similarly to thepresser rolls-1|, are disposed adjacentthe feed end of the table 6. Onepair of these rolls 61 is carried upon the plate 62, whereby they areadjustable with the remainder of this side of the discharge table ,6.The rate of feed along the table 6 may be the same as that of the table8, or different, as the designer may desire.

Second pair of cutter heads The second advance of the panel is initiatedby the upstanding flange 50, as this moves forward, transversely to thedirection of the pa-nels first advance, and sufficiently, but preferablynot more than sufficiently, to engage the now leading edge ofthe panel,which has previously beenchamfered,

into engagement with the second frictional feed means. 'I'he feed isthen taken up by the latter, and the panel is advanced between thesecond pair of cutter heads, one of which may be the cutter head I,previously referred to, and the other of which is a cutter head I3disposed between the presser rolls 51 and in position to engage andchamfer the edge of the panel opposite that now being engaged by I. Thecutter head I3 is conveniently driven a motor I4 carried upon the plate62.

The panel, after thus having its edges sniped, rst by the cutter heads Iand I0, and then by the cutter heads I and I3, passes along with thechain 58 to a convenient point of discharge.

Timing and control mechanism Since the friction feed means arepreferably operating continuously, the timing and control mechanismconcerns primarily the dog 86 and the ange 50, which, as has beenexplained, are controlled by the swinging of the respective arms 93 and54.

Thus in Figure 6, for example (see also Figure 10), an arm 54 is shownas provided with a roller 55| disposed adjacent a rotary shaft 21carrying a cam 20|. The arm 54 is fulcrumed upon a lower shaft 560. Asimilar roller 55 is carried by the arm 88 alt the left of Figure 4, butbehind the cam 2, corresponding to the cam 20|. Formed as part of thecam 2 is a clutch element 2| with which is engageable a clutch element22, and movement of the clutch element 22 is controlled by a yoke 23.The yoke 23 forms part of a lever arm, pivoted at 24, and actuated by asolenoid 25 or a similar device. The clutch element 22 is keyed to theshaft 20, and this shaft is continuously rotated by means of a pair ofbevel gears 26, one of which is upon a shaft 21 driven by a chain 29from the main drive motor M.

Whenever the solenoid 25 is energized it will act upon the yoke 23 toengage the clutch elements 22 and 2|, thereby effecting rotation of thecam 2, and swinging the arm in a direction to advance the dog 96 and thepanel engaged by the latter. By means to be described the energizationof the solenoid is momentary only, with the result that the cam. 2completes only one rotation, the arm 88 being drawn back to its normalposition by the spring 89. A brake or like means may be employed, ifdesired, to limit more precisely the rotation of the cam.

The ange 50 is similarly advanced. The cam 20| has a clutch element 2|0formed on it, with which is engageable a clutch element 2|2. Engagementof these clutch elements is under control of a solenoid 25|. 'Iheelement 2I2 is keyed to the live shaft 21, and upon its engagement withthe element 2|0 the arms 54 are swung forward, to advance the ledge 50,but if the solenoid 25| is immediately deenergized, the clutch elementsare disengaged, and the arms 54 are swung back by a spring 59.

The means for controlling energization of the solenoid is showndiagrammatically in Figure 10. To control energization of the solenoid25, which actuates the dog 86, I.provide a member 3 upstanding in thepath of an oncoming panel, which is located preferably adjacent therolls 1 and 1I, and which is spring held by a spring 30 in the path ofsuch an oncoming panel. Assuming that the solenoid 25 is energized bythe closing of a switch 3|, the cam 2 has started to rotate, advancingthe dog 86 and the panel engaged the cutter headV thereby until thispanel engages and depresses the member 3. By suitable mechanicalconnections, the member 3 being depressed breaks the switch 3| anddeenergizes the solenoid, and, the high spot of the cam 2- having passedthe roller 55 on the arm 88, the spring 89 returns the arm and dog totheir normal retracted positions. However, the presser rolls 1 and 1Ihave by now taken up the advance of the panel, and the panel continuesbetween these presser rolls and between the rolls 1I and 16, being actedupon in passage by the cutter heads I and I0.

As the trailing edge of the panel clears the mem- I ber 3, that memberreturns to its position in the path oi an oncoming paneLand in so doingagain closes the switch 3|', initiating the advance of a second panel.Regardless of the length of a panel. the leading edge of a second panelfollows the trailing edge of a first panel by an interval determined bythe inertia time delay of the solenoid 25 and associated parts, and bythe spacing of the hopper from the rolls 1 and 1I. The same member 3might be connected to operate or in part control the advance of themember 50, but preferably a second element is provided for this purpose.

In the meantime the panel has engaged the second member 4 which isdisposed between the rolls 1| and 16, and whichis normally spring heldin the path of the panel by a spring 40. The action of depressing themember 4 has operated through suitable linkage to draw backward a pawl4| acting upon a ratchet wheel 42, preparatory to advancing the ratchetwheel. Rotatable with the ratchet wheel 42 is a drum 43 carrying livecontacts 44 and insulating gaps 45.' A spring pawl 46, engageable innotches carried by or rotatable with the ratchet wheel 42, serves toposition these accurately with relation to spaced terminals of a circuit29 which includes the solenoid 25| which initiates the movement of theflange 50. When the spaced terminals 29 are brought into contact with alive element 44 this bridges the gap between the twov contacts andenergizes the solenoid 25|. When the terminals 29 are in contact with aninsulating gap 45, the solenoid is deenergized, and a spring 59 drawsback the arm 54 and ange 50.

As noted above, the rst action of an oncoming panel PI is mechanicallyto draw back the pawl 4I, without effecting any movement of the contactdrum 43. This condition prevails so long as the panel depresses themember 4. As soon as the panel clears the member 4, and the rolls 1I and16, the spring 40 advances the pawl 4| and the ratchet wheel 42 andcontact drum 43, and brings a live contact 44 into contact with theterminals 29.

The result, as before, is movement of the cam 20| and the arm 54, andadvance ofthe flange 50. As the high spot of the cam passes the roller55| the arm 54 swings backward under the iniluence of a spring 59, andthe end of the shaft 53 depresses a contact member 41 which, by suitableconnections, operates a pawl 48 in engagement with the ratchet wheel 42,again advancing the ratchet wheel and the contact drum 43 to bring adead spot 45 opposite the spaced terminals 29, and to break the circuitthrough the solenoid.

It will be seen that disengagement of an oncoming panel from the contactmember ,3 initiates movement of a succeeding panel, and its engagementand disengagement from the member 4 effects its own second advance intoengagement g5 with the second friction feedA means 81 and 66. 'I'huseach oncoming panel automatically effects -its own advance out of thepath of the panel which follows it. While the preceding panel PI may notprecisely clear the succeeding panel P2, it does not matter that theyoverlap somewhat, in the manner illustrated in Figure 3. and in factthey do overlap in most cases, b ut because they arev at slightlydifferent levels, no interference results. 'Ihe overlapping is inreality an advantage in that that edge of the panel P2 which is oppositethe ledge 5 has a certain amount of support from the preceding panel PI,until the latter has moved out from beneath the panel P2, by which timethe panel P2 is approaching the inclined member 60, and has clearedframe members (not shown) which thereafter. support 1t from beneath.

As will be understood, the relation of the member I and the contact drum43 might readily be so arranged that depression of the member 4 by'anoncoming panel would advance the contact drum to a position wherein thesolenoid is energized, and the advancing flange 50,. behind a precedingpanel, would initiate the second advance of such preceding panel. Thiswould be an obvious equivalent of the arrangement described. It wouldafford more time for the preceding panel to settle at the transferpoint, but the last panel of a stack would stop at the'transfer point,until a following panel, from a new stack, energized the solenoid, oruntil the solenoid circuit was manually closed. The arrangementpreviously described ispreferred.

Operation It is believed that the operation of the machine will now beclear. Panels, stacked in the hopper,

are positively advanced by movement of the dog enables the secondsniping operation to be upon the shorter side, and the panels moreeffectively clear the path of oncoming panels, and are more greatlyspaced at the discharge end of the machine.

After passing the first pair of cutterl heads I and I the panel is thenpositively started from the transfer point and non-positively continuedon its second advance, at right angles to the first, and it may be notedthat a guard 9 is disposed at the corner in front of the cutter head I,to assist in guiding the panels in the change of direction.

The cutter head I is preferably double, carrying an upper set of cuttersin line with the cutters of head I0 and a lower set of cutters in linewith those of cutter head I3, but might be formed as two separate cutterheads coaxial one with another, or indeed, if preferred, they mightbespaced lengthwise of the path of advance of the panels, one cooperatingonly with the cutter head I0 and the other cooperating only-with thecutter head I3, but the arrangement described makes a compact andconvenient machine. The operation is entirely automatic, each panel,once started, continuing automatically through the machine, andcontrolling the initiation of the first advance of a following panel.The operator need only stack the panels in the hopper, start themachine, and receive the panels as they are completed. There is nonecessity of the operator turning the panels by hand, as is necessarywith methods heretofore in use.

While the advance of the panel in each direction is positive at -itsinitiation, this positive advance is only continued to the point wherethe leading edge of the panel is engaged adequately with the frictionfeed means, and it is advanced to and past the cutter head, in eachinstancethat is, in each direction only by the friction feed means.Should anyextraordinary resistance be encountered, the friction feedmeans will merely slip with relation to the panel, and no harm willresult, whereas if the panels were positively fed past the cutter heads,damage would certainly ensue to the panel and perhaps to the machine insuch an event.

I particularly desire to point out that this machine is substantiallyself-regulatory, insofar as concerns the spacing of panels of width orlength different from those acted upon during some other run. Theadvance of a following panel P2 is initiated, not by any regularlyadvancing dog, but purely by the preceding panel PI clearing the controlelement 3. If the panels are short, the dog 86 will be frequentlyactuated. If the panels are long, the dog 86 will be less frequentlyactuated, but the spacing between the trailing edge vof the first andthe leading edge of the second is automatically the same, regardless oftheir length, and without any compensating adjustment. True, theposition of the dog 86 along its shaft 85 may have to be adjusted if thelength of panels, in different runs, varies considerably, but this maybe accomplished readily, and no other adjustment is required, so far asthe first advance is concerned.

' Similarly the timing and spacing of panels on the second advance isautomatically maintained constant in any given run, and the adjustmentof the flange 50 is primarily to accommodate and position panels ofdifferent widths rather than to control their spacing. If the panels ina given run are wider than those of another'run, they may notv followone another at the"same linear spacing, because each panel is started onits second advance only as it completes its first advance; panels whichare long as compared to their width will follow each other on the secondadvance by a greater distance than panels which are more nearly square.However, the second advance begins with no delay after completion of theflrst advance, and a preceding panel will always sufficiently clear afollowing panel-if for no other reason, then because the long edges arefirst sniped, and take longer to run through the cutter heads I and I0than for the shorter edges to clear the cutter heads I and I3. If twosuch panels, oblong inv shape, start at the same instant, one by actionof the dog 88 and one by action of the pusher 50, the following panelwill not clear the rst cutter heads I and I0 by the time the precedingpanel clears the cutter heads I and I3. No piling up can occur at thetransfer point, and no gauge means or other guards againstl piling upare necessary. y

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A panel sniping machine, comprising cutters for sniping panels movingalong a sniping path, a hopper for containing stacked panels, meansengageable with a panel in the hopper stack for advancing it therefromalong the sniping path toward said cutters, driving means for saidpaneladvancing means, control means for said ,panel advancing meansincluding a member disposed in the sniping pathggto be actuated by anadvancing panel, meanshereby said member again is actuated upon advanceof the panel therebeyond, and means whereby the latter actuation of saidmember energizes said driving means for operating saidpanel-advancingmeans to initiate advance of another panel from the stack in said hopperalong the sniping path toward said cutters.

2. A panel sniping machine, comprising cutters for sniping panels movingalong a sniping path, a hopper for containing stacked panels, meansengageable with a panel in the hopper stackv for advancing it therefromalong the sniping path toward said cutters, driving means for saidpaneladvancing means, control means for said panel advancing meansincluding an element normally projecting into the sniping path to bedepressed out of such path by panels moving therealong, spring means formoving said element into projecting position upon release thereof bypassage therebeyond of the trailing edge of a panel being dischargedfrom said cutters, and means whereby movement of said element intoprojecting position actuates said control means to energize said drivingmeans to operate said panel-advancing means for initiating advance ofanother panel from the stack in said hopper along the sniping pathtoward said cutters.

3. A panel sniping machine comprising cutting means for sniping oppositeedges of panels during movement of the panels along a first path andcutting means for sniping the other opposite panel edges during movementof the panels along a second path disposed transversely of the firstpath, means for advancing a panel along the first path to the secondpath, a second means for advancing the panel along the second path,driving means for said first and second paneladvancing means, andcontrol means for said second panel advancing means including a mem-,ber disposed in the first path on the discharge side of said firstcutting means to be actuated by an advancing panel, means whereby saidmember again is actuated upon advance of the panel therebeyond, andmeans whereby the latter actuation of said member energizes the drivingmeans for said second panel-advancing means to move the panel from therst path along the second path. v

4. A panel sniping machine comprising cutting means for sniping oppositeedges of panels during movement of the panels along a first'path andcutting means for sniping the other opposite panel edges during movementof the panels along a second path disposed transversely of the firstpath, means for advancing panels along the first path to the secondpath, continuously driven feed rollers disposed on the intake side ofsaid second cutting means and constituting the sole means for advancingpanels along saidsecond path past said second cutting means, means formoving a panel from the first path along the second path into engagementwith said feed rollers, driving means for said panel moving means, andmeans for controlling advance of panels along the second path includinga member disposed in the first path on the discharge side of said firstcutting means to be actuated by a panel' advancing along said firstpath, means whereby said member again is actuated upon advance of apanel therebeyond, and means whereby the latter actuation of said memberenergizes the driving means for the means to move a panel from the firstpath along, the second path into engagement with said feed rollers.

5. A panel sniping machine comprising a hopper for containing stackedpanels, cutting means for sniping opposite edges of panels deliveredfrom said hopper during movement of the panels along a first path,cutting means for sniping the other opposite panel edges during movementof the panels along a second path disposed transversely of the firstpath, means to feed successive panels from the hopper stack into thefirst path, means for transferring successive panels from the first pathinto the second path, driving mechanism for each of said panel feed andtransfer means, panel feed control means including a member disposed inthe first path to be actuated by a panel advancing along said firstpath, means whereby said member again is actuated upon advance of thepanel therebeyond, means whereby the latter actuation of said memberenergizes the driving mechanism for said panel feed means to initiateadvance of another panel from the hopper stack along the first path, andmeans for controlling transfer of panels from the first path to thesecond path, said transfer control means also including a memberdisposed in the first path to be actuated by a panel advancing alongsaid first path, means whereby the latter member again is actuated uponadvance therebeyond of a panel in the first path, and means whereby thelatter actuation of said latter member energizes the driving mechanismfor said panel transfer means to cause the latter means to move thepanel from the first path along the second path.

6. A panel sniping machine comprising a hopper for containing stackedpanels, cutting means for sniping opposite edges of panels deliveredfrom said hopper during movement of the panels along a first path,cutting means for sniping the other opposite panel edges during movementof the panels along a second path disposed transversely of the firstpath, means including a member for positively feeding panels from thehopper stack into the first path, continuously operablev friction meansengageable with panels advanced by said member and constituting the solemeans for moving panels past said first cutting means, means including amember for positively transferring panels from the first path into thesecond path, continuously operable friction means en-l gageable withpanels advanced by said transfer member and constituting the sole meansfor moving panels past said second cutting means, driving mechanism forsaid panel feed means and said panel transfer means, control means forsaid transfer means including a member disposed in the first path on theside of said first cutting means remote from the hopper to be actuatedby a panel advancing along said first path, means whereby said memberagain is actuated upon advance of the panel therebeyond,A

means whereby the latter actuation of said member energizes the transfermeans driving mechanism to cause the panel advancing member of saidtransfer means to move the panel from the first path into and along thesecond path, control means for said panel feed means including a secondmember disposed in the first path between said transfer control meansmember and said hopper to be actuated by advance of a panel along saidfirst path', means whereby said second member again is actuated uponadvance of a panel therebeyond, and means whereby the latter actuationof said second member energizes the for sniping opposite edges of panelsdelivered from said hopper during their -movement along a first path,cutting means for sniping the other opposite panel edges during movementof the panels along a second path disposed transversely of the firstpath, means operable to feed successive panels from the hopper stackinto the first path, and means for transferring successive panels fromthe first path into the second path, said panel feeding and transfermeans including means in the first path operable in response to movementof the panels along said path for controlling operation of said feedingmeans and of said transfer means.

8. A panel sniping machine comprising a pair of cutter heads spaced toengage opposite edges of a panel, friction means to engage and advance apanel to and past said cutter heads, a panel hopper, a memberintermittently movable lengthwise of the panel hopper to positivelyengage a single panel therein and to move it edgewise into engagementwith the friction means, means to support and position` a panel after ithas passed said cutter heads, a second pair of cutter heads spaced toengage the previously leading and trailing edges of' the panel, a secondfriction means associated with -the second pair of cutter heads toengage and advance the panel past the latter, a second memberintermittently movable to positively engage a panel upon the supportingmeans and to move such panel into engagement with the second frictionmeans, means to drive each of said intermittent means, each such drivemeans including a normally disengaged clutch, a solenoid operable whenenergized to close said clutch, a switch controlling energization of thesolenoid, and switch-operating means disposed in the' path of a paneladvancing past the first pair of cutter heads, and the respectiveswitchoperating means being operable, the one to energize the solenoidwhich closes the clutch of the second intermittent means as any panelclears the first pair of cutter heads, thereby to initiate the secondadvance of such panel, and the other to energize the solenoid whichclosesthe clutch of the first intermittent means as any panel clears thefirst pair of cutter heads, thereby to initiate the advance fromthehopper of a fresh panel.

9. A panel sniping machine comprising a feed table, whereon panels maybe stacked, and including spaced panel guides, a dog reciprocablelengthwise of the table to positively engage and 4advance the lowermostpanel, means to restrain advance of all other panels, continuouslyoperable presser rolls engageable by a panel thus advanced, to continueits advance, a pair of cutter heads spaced to engage opposite edges of apanel 'being advanced by the presser rolls, a support to receive andposition al panel discharged from the presser rolls, including a memberengaging behind one edge of the panel, means to reciprocate said memberto positively advance :such

panel at right angles to its first advance, a second set oi presserrolls engageable by a panel thus advanced, and continuously operable tocontinue such second advance, a second pair of cutter heads disposed toengage the opposite edges of a panel thus advanced by the second set ofpresser rolls, and means automatically operable by a panel as itadvances to time-the initiation of movement of said dog and said member,whereby the stacked vpanels are automatically advanced past both pairsof cutter heads.

10. A panel sniping machine. comprising a panel hopper, means to supportand guide a panel for movement from said h opper in one direction, apair of cutter heads disposed to engage opposite side edges of thepanel, as it advances, means to initiate movement of the panel from thehopper towards the cutter heads, including a shaft reciprocable througha xed distance in the direction of advance of the panel,

- and a dog shiftable lengthwise of the shaft to accommodate and engagepanels of different lengths, and to advance each panel towards but notto the cutter heads, frictional feed means disposed to engagethe panels,thus advanced, and to ladvance them to and past the cutter heads, panelsupporting and positioning means to receive panels from the cutterheads, including a ledge extending along one edge of the panel', meansto initiate movement of the panels from said supporting means at rightangles to the direction of first advance, including aAshaft reciprocablethrough a fixed distance in the direction of second advance, along whichsaid ledge is shiftable to accommodate and engage panels of differentwidths, and said ledge, when reciprocated, advancing each panel in thesecond direction, a second pair of cutter heads in the path ofthe'panel, thus advancing, and frictional feed means engaging the panel,thus advanced,

and advancing it, beyond the limit of movement of the ledge, to and pastthe second pair of cutter heads.

11. A panel sniping machine comprising means defining a first path alongwhich panels vto be sniped are movable, means for sniping opposite edgesof panels moved -along said path, means defining a second path extendinglaterally from said first path and along which the panels are movable,means for shifting panels laterally from said first path into saidsecond path, and means for sniping the other opposite edges of thepanels during their movement along said second path, said panel shiftingmeans comprising a ledge element disposed in the first path in alinementwith the second pathv and reciprocable transversely relative to thefirst path, said ledge element having a normal position at the outerside of said first path and being reciprocable vfrom said normalposition at least partly across said first path and back to its normalposition and including horizontal and upright portions, the former toreceive and support the outer marginal portion of a panel and the` laterto engage the outer edge of a panel, when said ledge element is in itsnormal position and the panel, by movement along said first path,becomes alined withv said second path, so that by movement of said ledgeelement from its normal position the said ledge element may be varied toadapt same for cooperation with panels of different widths.

- CHARLES CARLSON.

